East Africa Explorer - 14 days, 13 nights

A Kenya/Tanzania combo of great game viewing, popular lodging and fantastic food! Travel through Kenya’ famous parks; Samburu, Nakuru and Maasai Mara before crossing into Tanzania’s vast Serengeti Reserve. Next marvel at game-rich Ngorongoro Crater and lovely Lake Manyara. Staying at the famous Serena Lodges, you will enjoy the company of professional driver/guides and travel in specially fitted safari minivans.

Departures

Itinerary

Day 1 Nairobi

On arrival we will meet and transfer you to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Sarova Panafric Hotel or similarAccommodation:Sarova Panafric Hotel

Day 2 Nairobi Samburu Game Reserve

This morning drive north of the Equator to Samburu, on the edge of Kenya’s semi-desert lands. On today’s game drive see some of the animals and vegetation that are typical of this region such as the Grevy’s Zebra, the Reticulated Giraffe and the Somali Ostrich. Samburu Sopa Lodge or similar (2 nights)Accommodation:Samburu Sopa LodgeIncluded Meals: BLD

Day 3 Samburu Game Reserve

Enjoy a full day of game viewing in this harshly beautiful terrain where wildlife abounds along the Uaso Nyiro River, the park’s only source of drinking water. Also visit Shaba National Reserve, where renowned conservationist George Adamson did his lion research.Accommodation:Samburu Sopa LodgeIncluded Meals: BLD

Day 4 Samburu Game Reserve Aberdares

After heading south, through the market town of Nyeri where Lord Baden Powel, founder of the Boy Scouts, is buried, arrive at one of the famous Tree Hotels, after lunch. Here you can relax and watch animals visit the waterhole, At night the area is floodlit so that you can see the many forest animals come to the waterhole and salt lick. The Ark or similar Accommodation:The Ark LodgeIncluded Meals: BLD

Day 5 Lake Nakuru – Lake Naivasha

This morning we descend into the Rift Valley to Lake Nakuru National Park. After lunch enjoy a game drive in the park to see the masses of flamingos who seasonally live on the lake. Besides its many birds, this park is filled with other game as well as being a sanctuary for the black rhino. Continue on to Lake Naivasha. Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge or similarAccommodation:Lake Naivasha Sopa LodgeIncluded Meals: BLD

Days 6 & 7 Maasai Mara

Driving across the lunar landscape of the Great Rift Valley we reach Kenya’s best-known game reserve the Maasai Mara. In the afternoon we explore the rolling hills and plains for a wonderful sight of the great numbers of different species of animals found here. This is also where the great migration of the wildebeest takes place at the end of June and extends to early September. On Day 7, enjoy two more thrilling game drives through the Reserve. Mara Sopa Lodge or similar (2 nights)Accommodation:Mara Sopa LodgeIncluded Meals: BLD

Day 8 Speke’s Bay

Today we cross the border into Tanzania, and meet our Tanzanian driver. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route to the Lodge situated on the shores of Lake Victoria, where you can choose from several optional activities, time permitting. Speke Bay Lodge or similar

NOTE: Today’s drive is very long and can take upward of 8+ hours depending on road conditions, game sightings en-route as well as the border crossing time from Kenya into Tanzania.Accommodation:Speke Bay LodgeIncluded Meals: BLD

Days 9 & 10 Serengeti National Park

Today we enter the Serengeti Plains game watching all day en route to the lodge. During morning and afternoon game drives, each day, discover the thrill of encountering the ‘Big 5’ - Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Cape Buffalo. Serengeti Sopa Lodge or similar (2 nights)Accommodation:Serengeti Sopa LodgeIncluded Meals: BLD

Day 11 Ngorongoro Crater

We head for the Ngorongoro Crater, stopping to visit the Oldupai Gorge, site of archaeological findings, where traces of pre-historic man dating back to 3.5 million years were discovered, and have a picnic en route. After arriving at the lodge the balance of the day is at leisure. Ngorongoro Sopa Safari Lodge or similar (2 nights)Accommodation:Ngorongoro Sopa LodgeIncluded Meals: BLD

Day 12 Ngorongoro Crater

Spend the morning visiting the crater floor. Our 4x4 vehicle takes us down the steep walls of the Caldera into the primeval paradise of woodland, lake, river, swamp and plain that shelter approximately 20,000 animals. Spend the rest of the day at leisure with optional excursions available.Included Meals: BLD

Day 13 Tarangire

rrive at Tarangire National Park in time for lunch. Later our drive in this park, known for its giant Baobab trees, will follow the Tarangire River looking for the huge herds of Wildebeest, Zebra, Elephants, Eland and Oryx, as well as enjoying the hundreds of birds that inhabit the area. Tarangire Sopa Lodge or similarAccommodation:Tarangire Sopa LodgeIncluded Meals: BLD

Day 14 Arusha

After breakfast we drive to Arusha arriving in time for lunch. A day room is available at an additional cost (please contact us for rates).Included Meals: BL